From the GDR icon to e-mobility: Schwalbe conquers the streets!

From the GDR icon to e-mobility: Schwalbe conquers the streets!

Kleinmachnow, Deutschland - The Simson Schwalbe, officially known as KR 51, has long since reached cult status and is not only a popular nostalgia object, but also a coveted conversion candidate for modern technology lovers. The swallow embodies the charming GDR industrial design and has a fascinating story that goes back to 1964. With over a million copies produced by 1986, more than 150,000 swallows are still on the streets of Germany, whereby their popularity in the West is higher than in the east. But now the iconic machine becomes greener, because innovative inventors can convert their swallow to an electric drive, such as MAZ Online reported.

An example from everyday life delivers the Schwalben trio from Kleinmachnow. Grandpa Wolfgang (72) and his son Axel (52) have swallows from 1965 and 1979, while grandson Felix Bardehle (22) restored his father's machine. The trained motor vehicle mechatronics engineer got down to business with a lot of skill: from sandblasting to powder coating to the renewal of all chassis parts-the swallow now shines in a fresh "Tesla-Rot". But the focus is not only on the restoration, it is also converted to the electric drive. With a conversion kit from the Berlin company Secondride GmbH, the essential components for competitive 3000 euros are available.

environmentally friendly conversion

The start-up Secondride, which was founded three years ago, specializes in the production of high-quality conversion kits for GDR classics. The team of 15 employees develops products that not only combine nostalgic flair with the latest technology, but are also environmentally friendly. The conversion to electric drive offers a range of 60 to 80 kilometers, depending on the battery selected, and a top speed of up to 60 km/h. The CO2 emissions are reduced by the conversion from 71 to 14 grams per kilometer, which cannot make an insignificant contribution, especially in times of climate change, as Mobility Talk emphasizes.

The new conversion kits are not only functional, but also visually appealing. The KIT contains cast parts instead of plastic fragments and an improved lamp set for mopeds to increase safety and light output. The installation of the kit is uncomplicated thanks to precise instructions and comprehensive spare parts supply. Using the Second Ride Community, converter and fans can exchange their experiences and support each other.

customer feedback and success

The converter's feedback speaks for itself: The enthusiastic user Bodo Jendreizik reports that the delivery of his conversion kit was initially delayed, but was worth it. His renovation was successful, and the decrease in the changes from the DEKRA also worked out excellently. Robert Heinemann, another retrofitting, emphasizes that his conversion of the Schwalbe KR 51/2 was very simple due to the high quality of the materials and the understandable instructions. This shows that the inventors of Secondride are real professionals at work.

The Simson Schwalbe is therefore not only a nostalgic heart e-bike, but also a showcase project in terms of environmental awareness and technical sophistication. The trend towards switching to electric drive increases and makes the hearts of classic car fans beat faster. After all, it is neither necessary to change the original nor to do without driving fun - a real profit for everyone involved! For more information about the products from Secondride, see their website at Second Ride.